Tele Novella – “Hard-Hearted Way”

On their third album, Texas duo Tele Novella explore personal reflection, digging deeper into the well of wounded country that began to mark their 2021 album Merlynn Belle. The first single, “Hard-Hearted Way” lopes along on a classic, heartbroken country lilt, melding ‘60s jukebox tearjerkers from the school of Pasty Cline and Dottie West with a ripple of baroque pop. Despite her heavy-heart, this time around Natalie Ribbons (Agent Ribbons) sings not of love lost but of burdens let go.

“Hard-Hearted Way” was a difficult but necessary song to write,” admits Ribbons.  “The verses came first, and as I wrote it, I realized it wasn’t in first person, but that I was giving a voice to another woman that I had a complicated relationship with and whom I held bad feelings for in my heart.  As the song materialized, the chorus was clearly in my own voice.  It was through the process of perspective and forgiveness for this person that I gave myself relief and freedom to be the person I want to be.” Along with Jason Chronis (Voxtrot) Ribbons peels back layers of sadness, searching the more desperate corners of the soul on the upcoming Poet’s Tooth. The new album arrives October 6th from Kill Rock Stars.

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